Improvement in blind-fastener



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` JAMES M. BARNABY, OF WEST vI-IABVVICH, MASSACHUSETTS.

` Letters Patent No. 86,628, dated February 9,1869.

MPROVEMENT, IN BLIND-FASTENER.

-The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the s ame.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES M; BARNABY, of Westv Harwich, in the county of Barnstable, and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fastenings for Window-Blinds, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference 'being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specifcatiomin which- Figure l represents a horizontall section of a window-frame a short distance above the sill, and a pair of blinds provided with my improved blind-fastenings, one of which is shown in Figure 2, a perspective elevation.

Figure 3 represents a side view pf said blind-fastening, showing in what manner the fastening-plate B may be drawn downward below the stop c, to tighten or wind up the actuating-spring E.

This invention relates to a new and improved fast ening, designed to be applied to the lower edge of a blind, so as to hold it open or closed, and to lock it when in the latter position.

` The objects of this invention are cheapness and simplicity of construction, convenience and certainty of operation, great convenience for adjustment and readjustment ofthe fastening-plate, and sure and convenient means for locking the latter plate when the blind `is closed.

In my said invention, the fastening-plate B supports a vertical stud, d, which passes loosely through a ,hole in the plate A, and at or near its centre.

A collar, D, on the stud d, between the two plates, keeps them at the propel' distance apart, the upper plate being pressed downward onto the collar, and toward the lower one, by a spiral spring,` E, which not only serves this purpose, but also actuates the fastening-plate when applied to the lower edge of the blind.

One end of this spring is fastened to the plate B at c, andthe other end to the stud at or near its topend, or to a plate, m, secured to the top of the stud d. The spring E surrounds the stud, and the torsional action of the spring, orAits tendency to unwind, actuates the fastening-plate, the inner notch F of which catches on a vertical pin, n, rising from the sill H, and the outer notch h bn any suitable device projecting'r i from the wall Iof the building.

From the inner side of the plate A, and near one end thereof, a stop, c, depends, and this stop holds the plate B yagainst the torsional action of the spring, when the latter is so coiled or wound upon the stud as to insure the certain action of the fastening-plate when its notches come in contact with or in position to engage with the pins n, or other holding-devices.

This spiral spring E, cnnected and operating-as shown and described, is liable to become weakened by continued use; and when so weakened, the plate B is drawn downward to the position shown in iig. 3, lbelow` the lower end of the stop c, and turned round against the torsional action of the-spring, and again pushed upward to its acting position, as shown in lig. 2, thus increasing the action of the weakened spring,

and all without detaching the fastening from the blind, or removing any of its parts.

The inne-i` notch F .of the plate B. has a curved flange, g,.or collar, raised around its edge. The top part of thi'soollar is turnedl over and outward, and a curved locking-plate, f, ts loosely around and under this collar, where it is movable, to cover or to expose the notch F.

When the blind is to be vopened or closed, the plate f is set as shown in figs. 2 or 3, or as at 4, in fig. l; and when the blind is closed, the plate f is turned to the position shown at C, in l, thus encircling the pin n, and locking the plate B and the blind.

This improved fastening is applied to the under side or edge of the bottom rail G of the blind, by inserting the stud and spring in a hole bored upward in the lower edge of the rail, and by screws, or other fastenings, passing through holes X in the plate A into the wood.

This invention may be applied to doors, gates, or hinged sash, but I consider it better' adapted for:a blind-fastening than for any other purpose.'

The spiral spring is no new device, but when combined with the plates A and B and the stud d, said parts being constructed and arranged to operate` as shown and described, it becomes one element of a new combination, the other parts of which, or their equivalents, I have never before seen. l

The plate A, constructed as shown@ and described, with a depending stop, c, provides for a guide and bearing for the stud, a fastening for one end of the spring to insure its torsional action, a pressure-.bearing for the endwise action of the spring, to hold the plate B upward in position, a stop for the `fastening- ,plate, and to connect the apparatus to the rail of the blind.

The spring E, cofnbined with the plate A, the stud d, and with the plate B, as described, allows of an easy and very extended mntion of the latter, so that any ordinary derangement of the blind, l,such as sagging, or the bending of the hinges, &c., shall not prevent the certain action of the instrument; whereas in the ordinary blind-fastening, when the blind sags, the fasteningV is rendered partially or wheily inoperative by throwing the fastening out of range of the holdingdevice. i

The curved plate f, combined with the plate B, serves well the purpose of locking the blind when closed.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A blind or shutter-fastener, as described, with .the plates A and B, stud d, spring E, and locking-plate F, all constructed, combined, and arranged t0 operate as and for the purpose speciiied. v

JAMES M. BARNABY.

Witnesses:

J. B. SAMUELS, J om: E. CRANE. 

